Here in WA, pet-free rules in some aged care homes and retirement villages can force people to surrender a beloved cat.
Many of those cats arrive at Cat Haven in Shenton Park, Perth’s open-admission shelter. When pets aren’t allowed and family can’t help. An older cat that knew sunny windows and quiet routines lands in a busy shelter. The aim is to keep that bond alive, in care and in the community.
Cat Haven CEO Roz Robinson says: “No one should be denied a cat, simply because they are in an aged care facility. We need to value the contribution companion animals make to our lives and the many health benefits they bring.”
For more than 10 years Cat Haven has placed calm, older cats as resident companions in nursing homes. Thirteen homes take part across Perth. The shelter pays for food and veterinary care; staff handle daily feeding and litter. The team looks for friendly, short-haired older cats that enjoy people, then checks each home for containment, a private spot for food and litter, and clear staff responsibility. There’s a six-week settling-in period. If a placement isn’t right, Cat Haven collects the cat and seeks a better fit.
Safety is the first question. Roz says no allergies, bites or scratches have been reported. Homes do report a change in feel. Someone pauses for a pat and a chat. Corridors seem more homely and afternoons feel less empty. A quiet presence softens the day.
At Rosewood in Leederville two older cats, Jeanie and Maya, joined residents through the program. Staff said faces lit up when the cats padded into the room. Pets ease loneliness, prompt memories and give people something warm to hold. In Hamilton Hill, Cherry the rescue cat settled at Bethanie Illawong and now moves around as if she owns the place. She even appears in the internal newsletter, an easy icebreaker for families and visitors.
Frontline notes bring those moments to life. One staff member wrote, “She is so purrrrfect and exactly what we had hoped for. Thank you and your team a thousand times over. Priceless.”
Another facility said their cat, Daisy, roams corridors and curls up on residents’ beds; one woman who always had cats woke to find Daisy asleep on her blanket for four hours, “like home again.”
Some placements become local legends. Captain Cat received RSPCA recognition for his role in a nursing home. The daily rhythm matters most. A cat walks past at morning tea, basks by a window in the afternoon and visits at dusk. Many choose a favourite bed and a favourite person, a routine that comforts everyone.
There’s another strand of support for older people at home. If someone needs an urgent hospital stay and has nobody to feed the cat, Cat Haven can collect the animal and provide emergency boarding until its person is back on their feet. Stays typically run two to six weeks.
“We take care of any veterinary needs, for example vaccinations, when the cat is here,” Roz says. Where someone can contribute, they do; many pensioners cannot, so the shelter carries the cost. A non-medical week of boarding is about $200, excluding any vet work. The same safety net supports cats whose owners are seeking refuge from domestic violence.
All of this takes steady work and funds. Cat Haven receives 1.7 per cent of its running costs from the State Government and raises the rest through the community. The shelter takes in more than 8,000 cats each year. Donations keep food in bowls, pay for vet checks and cover transport.
“Honestly we would be happy for any amount,” Roz says. “$100 is a good amount, and it is tax deductible.”
Small gifts of food pouches, litter and fuel all help. So do volunteers who can drive, sew cat blankets or support gentle socialisation.
Advocacy helps too: “We would really like more homes to be enlightened and look at the wonderful benefits having a resident cat can bring. If anyone would like to float the idea to a care home where they have a relative, we would definitely follow it up.”
If you manage or work in aged care, start with a conversation about space, routines and a staff champion. Cat Haven can visit, advise and suggest a suitable cat, then support the six-week settling period. Families can raise the idea and offer help with daily tasks. If you live at home with a cat, add Cat Haven to your health plan so a quick call secures a place and a collection if you are admitted to hospital.
Older people often arrive in care feeling uncertain. A resident cat cannot replace a companion of many years, yet it can soften the edges of change.
“A resident cat helps break down barriers and brings comfort,” Roz says. “No one should be denied the love and companionship of a cat.”
If your home might welcome a resident cat or you need help during a hospital stay, contact Cat Haven to discuss options.
